Playoff run has extra meaning for Bruins' McQuaid

Defenseman had serious health scare in offseason, battled back to score clinching goal in East finals

June 11, 2013|By Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune reporter

Adam McQuaid went home Friday night and watched the replay of his goal that clinched the Bruins' Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Penguins.

After an offseason in which he was sidelined by a health scare, the Bruins defenseman probably deserved the indulgence.

"I don't usually see myself in those situations often, so it was kind of cool," said McQuaid, who scored the game's lone goal in the third period.

McQuaid and a staunch Bruins defense begin play Wednesday in the Stanley Cup Final against the Blackhawks. Last fall, McQuaid had bigger concerns when his arm "blew up" with major swelling.

Doctors found a blood clot near his collarbone due to thoracic outlet syndrome. He had surgery to remove a rib, some neck muscle and scar tissue on his nerves, he said Tuesday.

"It was a good six weeks before I was able to do anything," McQuaid said. "It takes a little while to recoup from taking that much time off. … It's continued to be something I've had to work through."

He worked his way back to be ready for training camp and played in 32 regular-season games, earning a spot as a finalist for the Masterton Trophy for showing perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

His goal Friday was his second of the playoffs after he scored one in the regular season, and his teammates appreciated the circumstances of the heroics.

"We were very happy," defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. "It was obviously a tough time for him when he found out he had that (problem) in his arm and had to get it fixed. He lost a lot of workout time to get ready for the season. For him to score a goal was definitely rewarding."

He's back: Winger Nathan Horton also is making a sort of return. He had to sit out the final four games of the Bruins' 2011 run to the Stanley Cup after suffering a concussion in Game 3 against the Canucks.

"It was tough that year not to be a part of it," Horton said. "Everybody wants to be on the ice. They want to enjoy it, work for it. I never got a chance to do that. … I really want to enjoy it this time, have a lot of fun. It doesn't come all the time."

Scouting report: The Bruins did not play the Hawks during the regular season and have to rely on tape to prepare, but winger Jaromir Jagr also might be able to help. He played two games against the Hawks this season with the Stars, who lost by a combined 11-3.

"I thought they were the best team in that conference, for sure," Jagr said. "It was a huge difference compared to other teams. They're so fast and everybody can move the puck on their defense, so we have to be careful of that."